Fresh, crunchy, and oh-so easy to make, this 5-Minute Green Salad with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette seriously couldn’t be more delicious or easy to throw together! Simply whip up the Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette and drizzle on top of buttery lettuce, crunchy cucumber, and a few other simple ingredients and enjoy!
Everyone needs a go-to green salad recipe that’s delicious, reliable, and easy to make, and as your Registered Dietitian bestie, I’m so happy to deliver!
The secret to a cravable salad is a dressing that actually tastes amazing- Enter my 5-Minute Fresh Lemon & Garlic Vinaigrette. While I’m definitely not a hater on store bought salad dressings, there’s something about homemade salad dressing that instantly elevates any salad.
Plus, when we have a salad dressing that tastes amazing, we’re so much more likely to, um, actually eat salad.
This quick and vibrant salad is a perfect go-to for busy days when you want something fresh, light, and bursting with flavor. It features a mix of crisp greens, complemented by a zesty and aromatic lemon garlic vinaigrette that comes together in seconds.
What Should I Pair This Salad With?
The beauty of this salad is it pairs well with pretty much anything. But if I’m making a suggestion, maybe I recommend my High Protein Sweet Potato Apple Vegan Soup, my Easy Vegan Lasagna Soup or 30-Minute Spiced Chickpea Stew (High Protein Meal!).
So What Do You Need For This Salad?!
So glad you asked, because the ingredients seriously couldn’t be easier!
A Batch of my 5-Minute Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette:
Butter Lettuce: Or really any greens of your choice! These act as the base of the salad, so choose something you love (or at least like!)
Cucumber: For a little extra crunch and veggie goodness!
Sunflower seeds: For even more crunch and some healthy fats!
Radicchio: This is optional, but I love the slightly bitter flavor this adds to the salad! If you don’t have it on hand, don’t sweat it!
Nutritional Yeast: For a slightly cheesy, umami packed flavor, but also not essential if you don’t have this on hand.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for bringing out the flavors in this salad in my opinion! I prefer fresh cracked salt and pepper since they add a subtle crunch.
Let’s Make This Easy Salad!
- Start by making your Fresh Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette.
- Next, add the greens, cucumber, pecans and radicchio (if using) to a large bowl. Drizzle on the salad dressing and sprinkle on the nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine, then taste to add more dressing, nutritional yeast, salt or pepper to your hearts desire!
More Salad Recipes
The Best Vegan Healthy Macaroni Salad
Apple Radicchio Salad with Rosemary Thyme Tofu
20-Minute Lemon-Tahini Vegan Caesar Salad
Connect with Lauren
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below. You can also find 60 other delicious, easy plant-based recipes in my cookbook, The Simple Vegan Kitchen!
Also, be sure to take a photo and tag me at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can re-share on my stories! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pintetrest so you never miss a new recipe or blog post.
5-Minute Fresh Green Salad with Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head butter lettuce or ~4 cups of greens of your choice, torn into pieces
- 1/4 head of radicchio chopped
- 1/2 cucumber diced
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or nut of your choice
- 1 batch Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the lettuce, radicchio, cucumber, and pecans in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with 2-3 tbsp of the Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette, or to taste, and sprinkle the nutritional yeast, salt and pepper on top.
- Toss well to combine. Taste to see if you'd like to add more vinaigrette, salt, or pepper and enjoy!
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe? Make sure to leave a review, take a photo and tag me on Instagram at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can see!
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